Let me now make known to you that, at
sunrise to-morrow, your attendants who have been sojourning at
Casinum, will await you by the gate of the monastery. I wish you,
dear lord, a fair journey. Let your thoughts sometimes turn to us;
by us you will ever be remembered.'
Long before the morrow's sunrise, Basil was stirring. By the light
of his little lamp, he and Deodatus conversed together, no longer as
master and servant, but as loving friends, until the bell called
them to matins. The night was chill; under a glistening moon all the
valley land was seen to be deep covered with far-spreading mist,
whereamid the mount of the monastery and the dark summits round
about rose like islands in a still, white sea. When matins and lauds
were over, many of the monks embraced and tenderly took leave of the
departing guest. The last to do so was Marcus, who led him aside and
whispered:
'I see you have again put on your ring, as was right. Let me, I beg
of you, once more touch it with my lips.'
Having done so with the utmost reverence, he clasped Basil in his
arms, kissed him on either cheek, and said, amid tears:
'Lest we should never meet again, take and keep this; not for its
worth, for God knows it has little, but in memory of my love.
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